Method and apparatus for scheduling the processing of commands for execution by cryptographic algorithm cores in a programmable network processor

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for scheduling the processing of commands by a plurality of cryptographic algorithm cores in a network processor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known in the art, a network processor is a programmable hardware device designed to process packets in a packet switching network at high speed. Network processors typically differ from other processors in that network processors include hardware that can rapidly perform protocol processing tasks.

As is also known, there is a trend to provide network processors which perform cryptographic processing of packet data. To facilitate the cryptographic processing, the network processors include cryptographic acceleration units (also referred to as “crypto units”). The crypto units accelerate the cryptographic processing of packet data to support cryptographic processing at line rate. One example of a network processor including a crypto unit is the Intel® IXP2850 network processor manufactured by Intel Corporation, 2200 Mission College Blvd. Santa Clara, Calif. 95052 USA.

Two types of cryptographic processing that are commonly performed on packet data are authentication processing (or more simply authentication) and ciphering processing (or more simply ciphering). Authentication is the process of creating a digest of the packet, which is sent along with the packet, and allows the receiver to verify that the packet was indeed sent by the sender (rather than by some third party) and was not modified in transit. Ciphering is the process of encrypting the packet, so that only the intended receiver, with the correct cryptographic key, can decrypt the packet and read its contents. The most commonly used security protocols perform both ciphering and authentication on each packet.

In order to support the ciphering of relatively small packets, the crypto units in the Intel® IXP2850 each have six processing contexts, which are each used to process one packet at a time. Each processing context contains storage for the cipher keys and algorithm context associated with the processing of one packet. Multiple processing contexts allow the latency of loading cryptographic key material and packet data to be hidden by pipelining the loading of data and key material into some of the contexts with the processing of data in other contexts. This allows the crypto unit to achieve close to full utilization of the cipher and authentication cores.

The crypto units in the Intel® IXP2850 implement the 3DES and AES cipher algorithms as well as the SHA1 authentication algorithm. Each of the crypto units contains a single AES core and a pair of 3DESand SHA1 cores because the structure of those algorithms make it difficult for a single core to operate at the required data rates. By implementing a pair of cores and allowing both cores to process data in parallel, the crypto units meet desired data rate requirements. This approach, however, presents a problem of how to schedule the operation of the individual cores within a pair.

There are several ways to solve this problem. For example, the contexts within a crypto unit can be divided into two groups and the each of the cores in a pair can be assigned to process requests from a group of contexts. Since the programmer controls which packets are processed by which processing context, this approach pushes the problem of load balancing work between the individual cores in a pair to the programmer.

For example, in a 3DES crypto unit the programmer must ensure that half of the packets requiring processing by the 3DES algorithm are assigned to one of the contexts serviced by one 3DES core, and the other half of the packets requiring processing by the 3DES algorithm are assigned to one of the contexts serviced by the other 3DES core.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the invention, as well as the invention itself may be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary network processor having a scheduler and a pair of same context command first-in-first-out (FIFO) queues coupled to respective ones of a pair of cores;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram which illustrates a state machine for one of the cores;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram which illustrates a command scheduling technique associated with cores in a processor;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system which includes a network processor which utilizes the scheduling technique described in conjunction with FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a portion of an exemplary network processor having cryptographic processing units at least one of which includes a scheduler and a pair of same context command first-in-first-out (FIFO) queues coupled to respective ones of a plurality of cores;

FIG. 5A is a block diagram showing additional details of one of the cryptographic acceleration units in the network processor of FIG. 5. and

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of a processor having a cryptographic acceleration unit which includes a single scheduler and command FIFO.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of a network processor which performs encryption and decryption operations on incoming data packets is described. Numerous details are set forth below in order to provide a thorough understanding of the scheduling techniques and related apparatus used to process the packets. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art that variants of the below described techniques and apparatus may be used in other embodiments without deviating from the spirit and scope of the concepts described herein. For example, the concepts described below can be implemented in a security processor or other type of processor. Also, it should be appreciated that in some instances, well-known circuitry is not set forth in detail in order to promote conciseness and clarity in the description of the figures.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary network processor 10 includes a command first-in-first-out (FIFO) queue12 coupled to a scheduler 14. It should be appreciated that FIFO 12 may be provided as any type of buffer which preserves the order of commands provided thereto. Commands exit the structure 12 in the same order in which they entered the structure 12.

The scheduler 14 receives commands from the command FIFO 12 and assigns the processing of the commands to one of a pair of cores 16 a, 16 b within a cryptographic acceleration unit 17 (also referred to as “crypto unit 17”). Each of the cores 16 a, 16 b has coupled thereto a same-context-command FIFO queue 18 a, 18 b.

The cores 16 a, 16 b form a core group 19. It should be understood that although in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the core group 19 is comprised of two cores 16 a, 16 b, in other embodiments the core group can be provided from any number of cores. The maximum number of cores which can be included in a core group is limited only by practical manufacturing considerations.

It should be appreciated that in preferred embodiments, the command FIFO 12 and scheduler 14 are provided as part of the crypto unit 17 and they receive commands from a global command FIFO and a global command scheduler provided as part of a processor (e.g. a network processor) of which the crypto unit 17 is also a part. One example of such an embodiment is described below in conjunction with FIG. 5A.

It should also be appreciated that the plurality of cores 16 a, 16 b can be adapted to process commands from any algorithm having a structure which makes it difficult for a single core to operate at desired or required data rates. For example, in one embodiment in which 3DES commands are processed, the cores 16 a, 16 b correspond to a pair of 3DES cores 16 a, 16 b (cores 16 a, 16 b also referred to herein as “core 0” and “core 1,” respectively). Thus, in this case, the command FIFO 12 would correspond to a 3DES Command FIFO 12 and the commands for 3DES processing would be queued in the 3DES Command FIFO 12. Similarly, the same-context-command FIFOs 18 a, 18 b would correspond to 3DES same-context-command FIFOs 18 a, 18 b.

In another embodiment in which MD5 commands are processed, the cores 16 a, 16 b correspond to a pair of MD5 cores 16 a, 16 b. Thus, in this case, the command FIFO 12 would correspond to an MD5 command FIFO 12 and the commands for MD5 processing would be queued in the MD5 command FIFO 12. Similarly, the same-context-command FIFOs 18 a, 18 b would correspond to MD5 same-context-command FIFOs 18 a, 18 b.

In yet another embodiment in which SHA1 commands are processed, the cores 16 a, 16 b correspond a pair of SHA1 cores 16 a, 16 b. Thus, in this case, the command FIFO 12 corresponds to a SHA1 command FIFO 12 and the commands for SHA1 processing are queued in the SHA1 command FIFO 12. Similarly, the same-context-command FIFOs 18 a, 18 b would correspond to SHA1 same-context-command FIFOs 18 a, 18 b.

In view of the above, it should be understood that although only one pair of cores (i.e. one core group 19) is shown in FIG. 1, a practical network processor is likely to include multiple pairs of cores (i.e. multiple core groups) with associated same context command FIFOs with each of the pairs adapted to process one of a plurality of different cipher and authentication algorithms. A practical network processor is also likely to include a global command FIFO queue and global command scheduling logic (e.g. a global command scheduler) to direct commands to a particular one of a plurality of command FIFOs for a particular core group (e.g. command FIFO 12 for core group 19).

Assuming that cores 16 a, 16 b each correspond to 3DES cores, and that core 16 a completes processing a command, then core 16 a checks to see if there are any commands waiting in its same-context-command FIFO 18 a. If there are, then core 16 a processes the command at the head of the Same-context-command FIFO 18 a. If the FIFO 18 a is empty, then 3DES Core 0 16 a indicates to the scheduler 14 that it is idle. The scheduler then checks to see if there are any commands in the 3DES Command FIFO 12. If there are, then the scheduler 14 checks to see if the context specified with the command at the head of the FIFO 12 corresponds to the context of the command being processed by 3DES core 1 16 b. If the contexts are the same, the command is queued in the same-context-command FIFO 18 b associated with 3DES core 1 16 b and the scheduler performs the same process on the next command in the 3DES command FIFO.

If the context specified in the command at the head of the 3DES Command FIFO 12 is not the same as the context of the command being processed by 3DES Core 116 b, or if the 3DES Core 1 16 b is idle, the scheduler 14 can give the command at the head of the 3DES command FIFO 12 to either the 3DES core 0 16 a or the 3DES core 1 166. Assuming that in response to such a condition (i.e. both cores 16 a, 16 b and idle) that the scheduler assigns the command to core 16 a, then the 3DES core 16 a begins processing the command. Because commands are assigned to be processed by a core only when the core has become idle, the scheduler 14 achieves load balancing between the cores 16 a, 16 b.

It should be appreciated that although the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 is described in the context of 3DES cores and algorithms, this same scheduling structure can be used if the cores 16 a, 16 b corresponded to a pair of MD5 cores or a pair of SHA1 cores. It should also be appreciated that although the technique is described in FIG. 1 as implemented for pairs of algorithm cores (e.g. a pair of 3DES cores), the technique also applies to the scheduling of any number of algorithm cores (e.g. three or more cores).

It should also be understood that although in a preferred embodiment, each core included within a core group is identical, this need not be so. That is, each core in a core group may have different processing characteristics. In the case where one core has a faster processing characteristic than another core within a core group, the scheduler 14 will automatically handle the load balancing between each core in the core group. The only requirement for a core group is that each core within the group be processing the same algorithm.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a state diagram for one of the cores shown in FIG. 1 (i.e. either core 16 a or 16 b) includes three states. The core is initially in an idle state 20. In response to a command received from a scheduler, the core moves along transition 22 to a processing command state 24 in which the core processes the command. From state 24, once the core completes processing the command, if a same-context-command FIFO associated with the core does not hold a command, the core proceeds back to idle state 20 (along transition 32). If, on the other hand, the core's same-context-command FIFO holds a command, then the core proceeds to state 28 (along transition 26), in which the command is de-queued from the same-context-command FIFO and the core returns to state 24 (along transition 30) where the de-queued command is processed. Once the core has processed all commands and its same context command FIFO is empty, the core returns to its idle state 20 (along transition 32).

FIG. 3 illustrates a command scheduling technique associated with cores in a processor (e.g. a network processor or a security processor), which includes one or more groups of cores to process packets. It should be understood that although the processing described in conjunction with FIG. 3 below assumes that the group of cores is comprised of two cores (referred to as first and second core in FIG. 3), it is recognized that the concepts and techniques described in conjunction with FIG. 3 apply regardless of the specific number of cores within the group of cores and regardless of the number of core groups. Thus, processor can include any number of core groups and each of the core groups can include any number of cores.

The rectangular elements in the flow diagram (typified by element 42 in FIG. 3), are herein denoted “processing blocks” and represent computer software instructions or groups of instructions. The diamond shaped elements (typified by element 44 in FIG. 3) are herein denoted “decision blocks” and represent computer software instructions, or groups of instructions which affect the execution of the computer software instructions represented by the processing blocks.

Alternatively, the processing and decision blocks represent processing steps performed by functionally equivalent circuits. The flow diagram does not depict the syntax of any particular programming language. Rather, the flow diagram illustrates the functional information one of ordinary skill in the art requires to fabricate circuits or to generate computer code to perform the processing required of the processor. It should be noted that many routine program elements, such as initialization of loops and variables and the use of temporary variables are not shown. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that unless otherwise indicated herein, the particular sequence of steps described is illustrative only and can be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It should be appreciated that in the description of FIG. 3, it is assumed that a crypto unit includes two cores and that if both cores are idle, the scheduler will assign the next command to whichever core is identified as the first core of the two cores (e.g. the core identified as core 0 in FIG. 1).

Turning now to FIG. 3, processing begins at block 42 where the system waits until either a core goes idle or until a command is received. When either of these conditions is found to exist, a determination is made as to which condition (i.e. an idle core condition or a command received condition) has occurred. In the flow diagram of FIG. 3 this is done in decision block 44 by determining whether a core has entered an idle state. In a system having a pair of cores (e.g. cores 16 a, 16 b in FIG. 1), a check is made to determine whether either of the cores has gone idle.

A determination of whether an idle core condition or a command received condition has occurred could also be made by checking if a command has just arrived into the command FIFO (i.e. rather than checking to see if a core has entered an idle state). Other techniques could also be used to make the same determination.

If in decision block 44, a decision is made that a core has gone idle, then processing proceeds to decision block 46. For the purposes of the remainder of this flow diagram, it is assumed that it is the first core in the core group which has gone idle (e.g. core 16 a in FIG. 1). In decision block 46, the scheduler 14 checks to see if there are any commands in a command FIFO (e.g. command FIFO 12, FIG. 1). If no commands are in the command FIFO 12, then processing returns to step 42.

If in decision block 46 the scheduler 14 finds a command in the command FIFO 12, then processing proceeds to decision block 48 in which a decision is made as to whether the second core (e.g. core 16 b in FIG. 1) in the group of cores is idle. If the second core is idle, then the command in the command FIFO is de-queued from the command FIFO and is assigned directly to the first core for processing.

If in decision block 48, a decision is made that the second core (e.g. core 16 b) is not idle, then processing proceeds to decision block 50 in which a decision is made as to whether the context of the command in the command FIFO is the same as the context of the command currently being processed by the second core. That is, the scheduler checks to see if the context specified within the command at the head of the command FIFO corresponds to the context of the command being processed by the second core.

If the context is the same, then processing proceeds to decision block 52 in which a decision is made as to whether the same-context-command FIFO (e.g., same-context-command FIFO 18 b, FIG. 1) is full. If the same-context-command FIFO (e.g. same-context-command FIFO 18 b in FIG. 1) is full, then the command is left in the command FIFO and processing returns to step 42.

If the same-context-command FIFO for the second core is not full, then the command is queued in the same-context-command FIFO for the second core as shown in block 54. Processing then flows back to block 42. FIG. 3 assumes that new commands arrive and cores go idle only when the scheduler is in processing block 42. In an actual implementation, these events can occur at any time and the scheduler has to remember that they occurred to trigger the appropriate actions when the scheduler returns to processing block 42.

If in decision block 48, a decision is made that the context specified in the command at the head of the command FIFO is not the same as the context of the command being processed by the second core, then processing proceeds to processing block 56 in which the scheduler gives the command at the head of the command FIFO to the first core and the first core begins processing the command. Processing then flows back to block 42.

Returning to step 42, an alternate path can be followed. If processing flows to processing block 44 due to the arrival of a command (rather than a core going idle), then processing proceeds to decision block 60 in which a determination is made as to whether there are commands in the command FIFO. If there are already one or more commands in the command FIFO, the command is merely queued to the command FIFO at processing block 58 and the process returns to step 42.

However, if there are presently no commands in the command FIFO, the process continues to block 62 in which a decision is made as to whether either the first or the second cores (e.g. either of cores 16 a, 16 b in FIG. 1) is currently idle. If neither core is idle, the process returns to step 42. If one or both of the cores are idle, the process proceeds to step 48 and continues as described above. If both cores are idle the scheduler automatically selects the first core to be the idle core to which a command will be assigned.

It should be noted, however, that the scheduler could be arranged so that when it finds both cores idle, it automatically assign a command in the command FIFO to the second core. That is, in the case where more than one core within a core group is idle, the scheduler can assign the command to any of the idle cores. Thus, as noted above, in the case where both first and second cores (e.g. first and second cores 16 a, 16 b) are idle, the scheduler can assign the command to either core in processing block 56. In a practical systems, however, for simplicity, in the case where more than one core is idle, the command is always assigned to a predetermined one of the cores, i.e., a default core.

For the purposes of the remainder of this diagram it is assumed that the first core is idle or is selected in the case that both cores are idle.

With this technique, because commands are assigned to be directly processed by a core only when the core has become idle, bypassing a corresponding same-context-command FIFO, the scheduler achieves load balancing between the pair of cores (e.g. the scheduler 14 achieves load balancing between the cores 16 a, 16 b in FIG. 1).

As mentioned above, the processing described in conjunction with FIG. 3 assumes that the group of cores is provided from two cores (e.g. cores 16 a, 16 b describe above in conjunction with FIG. 1). It should be appreciated, however, that in the case where the group of cores includes more that two cores, the processing in decision blocks 48, 50, 52, and 54 must be done for each of the cores in the group before the command in the command FIFO can be assigned to one of the cores in the group. In this case, the scheduler achieves load balancing between all of the cores in the group of cores.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary network 70 includes a plurality of interconnected networks nodes of which four network nodes 72 a-72 d are shown. Taking network node 70 a as exemplary of one or more of the network nodes 70 b-70 d, network node 70 a includes a router 74 which in turn includes a line card switching device 76 (or more simply a line card 76). The line card 76 includes a network processor 78 having a network processor crypto unit which includes one or more core groups with each of the core groups having two or more cores and with each of the two or more cores having an associated same-context command FIFO as described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3.

The network processor 78 thus forms part of a line card 76 within the switching device 74. The switching device 74 can be coupled to the other network nodes 70 b-70 d, in a manner well known in the art.

It is understood that the switching device can be provided from a variety of devices that include cryptographic data processing, such as a network router. Various network applications, configurations, switching devices, and topologies for the network and network processor will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary network processor 100 includes a crypto system 102 having first and second cryptography acceleration units 102 a, 102 b (crypto units 102 a, 102 b). Crypto units 102 a, 102 b transmit data in blocks to a Media Switch Fabric (MSF) unit 104 via an alignment buffer. The MSF unit 104 handles the transmission of data over an interface 108, such as an SPI4.2/NPSI interface. It is understood that to promote comprehension and clarity in this description, components of the network processor 100 not relevant to the features described herein may not be shown or described. The crypto units 102 a, 102 b accelerate the cryptographic processing of packet data to support crypto processing at line rate. In operation, data is processed by the crypto units 102 a, 102 b and the ciphered data is aligned and then sent to the MSF unit 104 for transmission over the interface 108.

In an exemplary embodiment, the crypto system 102 implements the following cipher algorithms: 3DES/DES, AES, and RC4. The 3DES/DES and AES algorithms are block cipher algorithms, which means that they process data in discrete blocks and the RC4 algorithm is a stream cipher that processes data one byte at a time. In one particular embodiment, the crypto units 102 a, 102 b each implement the following well-known authentication algorithms: MD5, SHA1, and AES-XCBC-MAC, which are block-oriented algorithms.

Referring now to FIG. 5A in which like elements of FIG. 5 are provided having like reference designations, the network processor 100 includes a global command FIFO queue 110 which receives commands provided to the network processor 100 and provides the commands to a global command scheduler 112. The global command scheduler 112 directs at least some of the commands provided thereto to a particular one of the plurality of crypto units 102 a, 102 b.

Taking crypto unit 102 a as exemplary of crypto unit 102 b, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, each of the crypto units 102 a, 102 b contains a plurality of core groups 119 a, 119 b, 119 c. Core group 119 a contains a pair of 3DES/DES cores and associated same-context command FIFOs (SCC FIFOs). Core group 119 b contains a pair of SHA1 cores and associated SCC FIFOs and core group 119 c contains a single AES core.

When the global command scheduler 112 has a command for the 3DES/DES cores in core group 119 a, the global scheduler 112 directs the commands to the crypto unit 102 a. A core group command FIFO 120 a within crypto unit 102 a receives the commands and provides the commands to a 3DES/DES core group scheduler 122 a also within the crypto unit 102 a. The 3DES/DES core group scheduler 122 a receives commands from the command FIFO 120 a and assigns the processing of the commands to one of the pair of 3DES/DES cores within the core group 119 a.

Similarly, when the global command scheduler 112 has a command for the SHA1 cores, the global scheduler 112 directs the commands to the core group command FIFO 120 b which provides the commands to a SHA1 core group scheduler 122 b. The SHA1 core group scheduler 122 b receives commands from the command FIFO 120 b and assigns the processing of the commands to one of the pair of SHA1 cores within the cryptographic acceleration unit 102 a. Thus, the global command FIFO queue 110 receives commands provided to the network processor 100 and then directs commands to a particular one of the plurality of core group command FIFOs contained within the crypto units 102 a, 102 b for processing by a particular core group via the global scheduler 112.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, it should be appreciated that in a preferred embodiment, each of the crypto units 102 a, 102 b can include a queue and scheduler. In such an embodiment, a cross unit scheduler 113 (which may be implemented in software or hardware) schedules the use of the two crypto units 102 a, 102 b. The scheduler 112′ within each crypto unit gives commands to the core groups 119 a, 119 b, 119 c depending upon the algorithm that is required to process a received packet (e.g. packets which must be processed using 3DES/DES are provided to core group 119 a, packets which must be processed using SHA1 are provided to core group 119 b, and packets which must be processed using AES are provided to core group 119 c). Thus, the processor may be implemented in such a manner that the cross unit scheduler handles the scheduling between the plurality of crypto units and the FIFO 110′ and scheduler 112′ are provided as part of each of the crypto units and simply provide commands to the appropriate core group within the crypto unit. It should thus be appreciated that the scheduling techniques described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3 above may be utilized regardless of the particular manner in which the scheduling hardware is implemented.

While the embodiments described herein are primarily shown and described in conjunction with a network processor having a crypto unit with only two cores (i.e. one core group), it is understood that embodiments are applicable to network processors in general. For example, it will be appreciated that any number of crypto units, each having any number of core group (and each core group having any number of cores) can be used without departing from the scope of the present embodiments. In addition, the number of cipher and authentication cores and processing contexts, as well as the supported algorithm types, can vary without departing from the scope of the present embodiments.

All references cited herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Having described preferred embodiments which serve to illustrate the inventive concepts, it will now become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating their concepts may be used. It is felt therefore that these embodiments should not be limited to disclosed embodiments, but rather should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A network processor comprising: a command FIFO to store one or more commands; a plurality of cores; a like plurality of same context command FIFOs, each of said plurality of same context command FIFOs coupled to a corresponding one of said first plurality of cores; and a scheduler coupled to said command FIFO and to each of said first plurality of cores in said core group.
 2. The network processor of claim 1 wherein said plurality of cores corresponds to a first plurality of cores in a first core group and the network processor further comprises a plurality of core groups, each of said core groups coupled to the command FIFO.
 3. The network processor of claim 1 wherein said plurality of cores corresponds to a first plurality of cores in a first core group and the network processor further comprises: a plurality of core groups; and said command FIFO corresponds to a first one of a plurality of command FIFOs, each of said plurality of command FIFOs coupled to a corresponding one of said plurality of core groups.
 4. The network processor of claim 3 wherein said plurality of same context command FIFOs is provided such that each of the cores in said plurality of core groups is coupled to a corresponding one of said plurality of same-context-command FIFOs.
 5. The network processor of claim 1 wherein said scheduler is adapted to receive a command from said command FIFO and to assign the command to one of said plurality of cores.
 6. The network processor of claim 1 wherein said scheduler is adapted to receive a command from said command FIFO and to determine which of said plurality of cores is processing a command and in response to one of said plurality of cores in said core group processing a command, to determine if the command received from said command FIFO is in the same context as the command being processed by said core.
 7. A network comprising: a first node having a network processor, said network processor comprising: a command FIFO to store one or more commands; a plurality of cores; a like plurality of same context command FIFOs, each of said plurality of same context command FIFOs coupled to a corresponding one of said first plurality of cores; and a scheduler coupled to said command FIFO and to each of said first plurality of cores in said core group; and an interface, adapted to couple the first node to another node.
 8. The network of claim 7 further comprising: a network communication path coupled to said first node; a second node having a network processor, said network processor comprising: a command FIFO to store one or more commands; a plurality of cores; a like plurality of same context command FIFOs, each of said plurality of same context command FIFOs coupled to a corresponding one of said first plurality of cores; and a scheduler coupled to said command FIFO and to each of said first plurality of cores in said core group; and an interface coupled to said first node through said network communication path.
 9. A processor comprising: (a) a plurality of cryptographic acceleration units, each of said plurality of cryptographic acceleration units comprising: (1) a command first-in-first-out (FIFO) queue to store one or more commands; (2) a plurality of cores; (3) a like plurality of same-context command FIFO queues, each of said plurality of same context command FIFO queues coupled to a corresponding one of said first plurality of cores; and (4) a scheduler coupled to said command FIFO queue and to each of said first plurality of cores in said core group.
 10. The processor of claim 9 further comprising: a global FIFO queue having an input adapted to receive commands directed toward at least one of said plurality of cryptographic acceleration units and having an output; and a global scheduler having an input coupled to the output of said global FIFO queue and having an output adapted to provide a data path to each of said plurality of cryptographic acceleration units.
 11. The processor of claim 10 wherein said plurality of cores form a first core group and wherein the processor further comprises a plurality of core groups, each of plurality of core groups coupled to said global scheduler.
 12. A processor comprising: a cryptographic acceleration unit comprising: (1) a command first-in-first-out (FIFO) queue to store one or more commands; (2) a core group comprising a plurality of cores; (3) a like plurality of same-context command FIFO queues, each of said plurality of same context command FIFO queues coupled to a corresponding one of said plurality of cores; and (4) a scheduler coupled to said command FIFO queue and to each of said first plurality of cores in said core group.
 13. The processor of claim 12 wherein: said core group corresponds to a first one of a plurality of core groups in said cryptographic acceleration unit, with each of said plurality of core groups comprising one or more cores; and said scheduler is coupled to each of said cores.
 14. The processor of claim 13 wherein said cryptographic acceleration unit is a first one of a plurality of cryptographic acceleration units with each of said plurality of cryptographic acceleration unit comprising a plurality of core groups with each of said plurality of core groups comprising one or more cores and a scheduler coupled to each of said cores and the processor further comprises: a cross unit scheduler adapted to receive commands and to direct the commands to at least one of said plurality of cryptographic acceleration units.
 15. A method comprising: receiving a command in a command FIFO; determining whether one of a plurality of cores is idle; assigning the command to the idle one of the plurality of cores.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: in response to all of the cores in the core group being idle, assigning the command in the command FIFO to a first pre-selected one of the plurality of cores; in response to not all of the plurality of cores being idle, determining whether the context of the command in the command FIFO is the same as the context of the command currently being processed by one of the plurality of cores which is not idle.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising: in response to the contexts being the same, moving the command from the command FIFO to a same context command buffer associated with the core which is currently processing the command in the same context.
 18. The method of claim 16 further comprising: in response to the context of the command in the command buffer not being the same as the context of the command being processed by the core, assigning the command in the command FIFO to a first one of the plurality of cores which is idle.
 19. A method comprising: receiving an indication that at least one core in a core group is idle; determining if there are any commands in a command buffer; in response to finding a command in the command FIFO, assigning the command to an idle one of the plurality of cores in the core group.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein prior to assigning the command to an idle one of the plurality of cores in the core group, the method comprises determining whether any other core in the core group is not idle.
 21. The method of claim 20 further comprising in response to all of the cores in the core group being idle, assigning the command in the command FIFO to a first pre-determined one of the plurality of cores in the core group.
 22. The method of claim 20 further comprising in response to not all of the cores in the core group being idle, determining whether the context of the command in the command FIFO is the same as the context of any command currently being processed by one of the cores which is not idle.
 23. The method of claim 22 further comprising in response to the contexts being the same, moving the command from the command FIFO to a same context command FIFO of the core which is currently processing the command.
 24. The method of claim 22 further comprising in response to the context of the command in the command FIFO not being the same as the context of any command being processed by a core, assigning the command in the command FIFO to a first one of the plurality of cores which is idle.
 25. An article comprising: a storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by a machine result in the following: scheduling a packet command for processing by one of a plurality of cores depending upon whether a core is idle and whether the packet command has the same context of a command currently being processed by another one of the plurality of cores; and if the packet command has the same context of a command currently being processed by another one of the plurality of cores, storing the command in a same-context command FIFO associated with the one of the plurality of cores.
 26. The article of claim 25 wherein the storage medium has stored thereon instructions that when executed by a machine result moving the command from the same-context command FIFO to the core for processing. 